| For people suffering with mental illnesses the world | | | | not good or bad, it's just a fact. Be an active part of |
| can be a lonely place. The feeling of isolation can | | | | your social life. Don't be afraid to get out there and |
| complicate many of the issues and symptoms of | | | | meet people. Don't let the feeling of being ashamed or |
| mental illness. When a person suffering with mental | | | | the fear of being teased stop you from finding a loving |
| illnesses is single the feeling of being alone can be | | | | relationship. Realizing that everybody has these fears |
| even more overwhelming. Dating and relationships are | | | | can help alleviate some of the tension. |
| stressful enough in normal situations, and that stress | | | | Just like everybody else you have to realize you're |
| can make it nearly impossible for a person suffering | | | | going to be rejected occasionally. This can happen for |
| mental illness to feel they will ever be able to find a | | | | a number of reasons not just mental illnesses. |
| partner. | | | | However, when you have a mental illness it's easy to |
| It doesn't have to be that way. There are many ways | | | | focus on that as a source of their rejection. You've |
| to find new relationships and make them work even if | | | | heard the expression you have to squeeze a lot of |
| you suffer a mental illness. There are even dating | | | | lemons to make lemonade; the same can be said for |
| services specifically designed for people with mental | | | | dating mental illness or not. |
| illnesses. Such services can be helpful as they reduce | | | | Once you've found Mrs. or Mr. Right, knowing your |
| the stress and anxiety of worrying over explaining | | | | own limitations is an important part of dealing with the |
| your situation to strangers. | | | | stress of a new relationship. The feeling of being |
| Whether you meet someone at a party, at work, at a | | | | rushed can add to stress and anxiety. So if you feel a |
| dating service, or on the street making a first date is | | | | relationship is moving faster than is comfortable for |
| an anxious situation for anyone. Realizing that you're | | | | you don't be afraid to slow it down. |
| not alone in that fear is a big step to overcoming the | | | | Once you've decided to take that first step toward |
| anxiety. It is helpful if the person you are approaching | | | | finding someone to share your life with your realize it's |
| knows who you are and understand your condition. | | | | not as daunting as it first seems. All the trials and |
| That's why some of the dating services that specialize | | | | tribulations of any normal relationship are the same the |
| in helping people with mental illnesses meet others are | | | | difference is you're being able to handle them. Knowing |
| so helpful. But if the person you are poaching doesn't | | | | yourself and your abilities will go a long way in handling |
| know about your condition it's still okay. Don't make a | | | | the anxieties to come along with all baiting situations. |
| huge issue of it. While it is important to disclose these | | | | Finding true love is worth all of them. Be honest an |
| issues to people who are potentially going to be | | | | up-front and you will find the person perfect for you. |
| involved with you, it's as much a part of you as the | | | | You don't have to go through life alone. You can find a |
| type of closure wearing for your choice of hair style | | | | partner to share your life with and experience the joys |
| but it is no bigger and the issue either. | | | | and happiness of the solid relationship while dealing |
| It's a part of what makes us who we are, and that's | | | | with your mental illness. |